Nanoparticles across the placental barrier: insights into the reproductive toxicology of nanomaterials
Luisa CAMPAGNOLO
(Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata")
Abstract
Nanoparticles across the placental barrier: insights into the reproductive toxicology of nanomaterials
In recent years the interest for the possible adverse effects after exposure to consumer relevant engineered nanoparticles (ENP) during pregnancy has dramatically increased. This is possibly the consequence of the recognized higher susceptibility of developing tissues to any toxicant (including ENP), and the importance of avoiding any insult compromising intrauterine development, in a time where in developed countries reproductive age has raised greatly, limiting already the chances to bear children.
We have recently demonstrated for the first time that mouse exposure to low doses (down to 100 ng/mouse) of SWCNTs early in pregnancy induced severe embryo alterations, impaired placental vascularization and increased oxidative stress. More recently, we identified low amounts of fluorescently labelled SWCNT in placenta and foetal membranes, suggesting ability of ENP to reach and distribute to these organs, but we did not detect ENP in the embryo, indicating limited transplacental passage of ENP and possibly indirect embryonic effects. Based on the evidence that placental permeability increases over gestation, this presentation aims to give an overview of our and others findings on the relationship between maternal exposure to ENP through different routes of exposure (intravenous, oral and inhalation) and possible placental and embryonic damage as a function of the gestational stage at which administration occurs. Data on the biodistribution and foetal effects of consumer relevant AgNP during the first 15 days of gestation, a critical window for embryo development, will be shown. The presence of ENP in maternal and foetal tissues has been investigated by TEM, EDX and Single Particle ICP-MS analysis, and the results prove the importance of combining different analytical methods to undisputably demonstrate the presence of AgNP in exposed embryos. Interestingly, no relevant effects on maternal and foetal parameters have been observed with the exception of an increased number of resorption in the group that was exposed for longer.
Altogether, the data presented highlights the need of further investigation to produce data useful for regulatory measures, especially in occupational settings where exposure during critical weeks of pregnancy could occur.
